Install French Doors And Enhance The Beauty Of Your House
Lawrence White writes articles on a variety of subjects including DIY and property development to help people make the best choice when undertaking home improvement. Visit his website at http://www.force8.co.uk/
French doors are a modern way to renovate your lovely home, in order to impart a beautiful look. French doors are also referred to as ‘French windows’. French doors not only provide solutions to problems such as lighting and partitioning; they also enhance the overall appearance of your dwelling. French doors are ideal for libraries, dark rooms, and so on, where the natural light fails to reach or does not reach in abundance. Earlier, before the discovery of electricity, people preferred to use these doors as they served as an excellent path for the entrance of natural light.
However, these days they are used as accessories in order to enhance the overall beauty of the house. A French door comprises of a set of two doors, which swing open outwards. Such doors can be used in the interior as well as the exterior of the house, depending upon the requirements. They are made of panels or panes, which often contain glazed glass, wood carvings and sometimes even stained glass art.
Procedure of Installing French Doors
Installing French doors is undoubtedly more complicated than changing the old ones. It also requires certain amount of skills to do so. At least two people are required for installing these doors in a proper manner.
It is better to keep in mind that this activity is not easy and might consume the whole of your day. Make sure you have someone to help.
Now assemble all the equipment that you might need, viz.
1. Measuring tape
2. Screwdriver
3. Screws
4. Caulk: silicone, preferably
5. Shims
6. Level and carpenters’ square
7. Insulation
8. Power drills
9. Hammers, mallets and pry bars
10. Paint and Paintbrush
However, prior to installing new doors, it is always better to check the size by measuring with care. Measure at least twice, and make sure you get the same measurement. Also, keep some extra space for the frame. The order for the French door must be placed judiciously because delivery may take some time, depending on the order specifications.
Now, when your doors have come you can start installing them by following the steps listed below:
o Without damaging the trim, remove the old frame with hammer and pry bar. Label the trim pieces; it will be easier to place them back.
o Unpack the door unit and check for all the supplies included in the unit. Remove all the packing material and skid board from the unit. These things are usually attached to protect these doors in transit. Do not remove hanging clips , if any, as their purpose is to keep the doors aligned and closed.
o Read all the instructions related to installation in the book supplied with the unit.
o For pre hung French doors, it is good to remove the door from the frame for easy installation. In case you are not willing to remove it, then let the clips stay in their original positions.
o Make sure that the opening is a perfect square and level. Also, seal the floor where doorsills were set. Caulking can be used for doing so, in order to protect the floor.
o Place the door unit in the center of the opening, at the right place.
o The unit should be kept perpendicular to the inside wall and well leveled from the top and bottom.
o Now, fit the frame properly, with the help of shims present on the top as well as at both the sides. Once you are through make sure to shim from behind the hinges.
o After this, shim the top and bottom corners for a firm fit of the door.
o With the help of screws, fix the frame.
o Put two screws above the hinges on both the sides, ensuring the proper level of the door. Also make sure to check that the gap between the door and the wall remains even.
o Fix the whole door with the screws. Remove the packing clips and check if both the doors are opening freely.
o Put the strike plates and double check the placements.
o Now fix the gap between the wall and the door with insulation. Affix the interior and exterior molding. Also, make sure to caulk the exterior side to avoid leakage.
o Paint the wall, if necessary.
o Install all the hardware that has been supplied, along with the door knobs, etc.
Once done, you can sit back and let the sunlight filter through!
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